San Diego County's top public health official warned families that no amount of time is safe to leave a child alone in a parked vehicle, even to run a quick errand, as back-to-school routines bring new risks of deadly forgetfulness.
The interior of a parked car can reach 125 degrees Fahrenheit within minutes, even in shade or with windows cracked, according to the county's back-to-school safety alert published the week of Aug. 13. Eighteen children have already died nationally from vehicle heatstroke in 2026.
It happens fast.
San Diego County Public Health Officer Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan said the danger is absolute: not with a window cracked, not parked in the shade, never, because even on a mild day a car heats up like an oven, according to the county's warning reported Tuesday by Times of San Diego. He said there is no safe period of time to leave a child inside a vehicle, not even for a quick errand.
The warning is timed to the start of the school year, when changing drop-off and pickup schedules increase the chance a parent or caregiver forgets a child in the back seat. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows more than half of pediatric heatstroke deaths occur exactly that way.
Nearly 40 children die in the United States each year after being left in hot cars, according to NHTSA.
Why it happens
County health officials pointed to sleep deprivation, stress, fatigue and distraction as leading factors. Rear-facing car seats look the same to a driver whether or not a baby is in them, and sleeping infants stay quiet during trips.
A child's body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's because children cannot regulate heat as efficiently, county health officials said in the Aug. 13 press release.
Prevention tips from San Diego County
The county recommends building these habits into every car trip:
- Place the child's diaper bag or backpack in the front seat as a visual reminder.
- Leave an essential item (phone, wallet, work badge or a shoe) in the back seat next to the car seat.
- Always check the car seat when exiting, even when the child is not traveling that day.
- Make "stop, look and lock" a routine every time you park.
- Ask the childcare provider to call immediately if the child does not arrive as scheduled.
- Keep vehicles locked at home so children cannot climb in and become trapped.
What to do if you see a child alone in a hot car
County officials say bystanders should:
- Call 911 immediately.
- If necessary, break the window farthest from the child to remove them safely.
- Move the child to a cool location and begin cooling them with water or ventilation.
Officials also noted that pets face the same danger when left in hot vehicles.
